Mussoorie

Having everything that defines the look and feel of a typical hill station, Mussoorie has enchanted every visitor that has ever landed on its ground. A popular tourist destination, it lies in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand and is popularly known as the Queen of the Hill stations. Located at an altitude of 1880 meters high above the sea level, this town boasts of being a settlement crafted by the British in 1923. An ideal summer escape for them in the past, Mussoorie still is a preferred getaway that beguiles many with its exceptional charm.

Replete with nature’s substantial bounties, Mussoorie is a fascinating landscape to behold. Picturesque hills, cascading waterfalls, exciting adventures and amazing shopping expeditions- all makes Mussoorie a fun-filled vacation. It also includes a bunch of action-packed tourist spots like Kempty falls, Gun Hill, and Jawahar Aquarium that forms some of its wonders. Apart from this, its architectural heritage forms an indelible link with the British past and acts as a reminder to what the colonial India was. With its apt locations for adventures like paragliding, ice-skating and trekking- Mussoorie has everything in place that makes it an ideal tourist site.

The cultural traditions of the city are very diverse and old. People here belong to the Garhwal, Tibetan and other communities. Some of the languages spoken by the localities include, Garhwali, Hindi, Punjabi, English and Kumaoni. Their religious customs form an important aspect of the major festivals including Uttarani, Phooldeli, Samvastar Pareva, Shravan Mela, and so on.

With all this on its palette, Mussoorie never disappoints the traveller inside you and always gives you memories to cherish for a lifetime!

It’s a year round destination as the weather remains pleasant all the time except between (15th July to 15th September) of monsoons.

The abundance of tourists spot in Mussoorie offers everything that is expected of an Indian hill station. Picturesque mountains, gushing waterfalls, and divinity stored in temples and churches- all forms the city’s heartbeat. Filled with many sight-seeing options, Mussoorie offers a panorama of unusual tourist spot that can make your trip memorable. Make your way to Mussoorie and unearth some marvels of nature!

Gun Hill

Get ready to experience the feeling of touching the clouds, as you can witness a unique landscape where clouds seem to engulf the ground. One of the most famous attractions, Gun Hill is the second highest peak in Mussoorie. Take a cable car that runs up to the Gun Hill (2530 m) which eventually becomes a thrilling ride. The site offers a mesmerising view of the Himalayan ranges including- Srikantha, Bunderpunch, Pithwara and Gangotri group. It is suggested that one should visit Gun Hill an hour or so before the sunset. In peak times, the place gives an aura of a festival as it offers thrilling rides for kids, food stalls, magic shops and photography studios offering deals to get clicked in traditional Garhwali costumes.

Entry Fee- Rs. 75 per person (cable car)

Opening – Closing timings: All days of the week, 6 am- 6 pm.

Kempty Falls

One must not leave Mussoorie without taking a dose of natural beauty and splendour by visiting Kempty Falls. The cascading white water making its way to the ground with rhythmic sounds of splashing will make you spellbound.

Opening – Closing timings: All days of the week, 6 am- 6 pm.

Jawahar Aquarium

This newly discovered gem in Mussoorie is home for some of the most exotic fishes such as tiny shark, and red piranha. Reached by a cable car, a visit to this aquarium is an informative and entertaining experience.

Entry Fee- Rs. 25 per person

Opening – Closing timings: All days of the week, 10 am- 5 pm, Photography is not allowed

Radha Krishna Temple

A Hindu temple saying the eternal love saga of Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha is a must visit. Its beauty and splendour are able to ignite your spiritual side leaving you in a peaceful state of mind.

Opening – Closing timings: All days of the week, 24 hours

Christ Church

Established in 1836, this church is supposedly the oldest church in the Himalayan range. The church is well-known for its architecture and splendid grandeur and is visited by many tourists coming to Mussoorie.

Flatter your taste buds by trying some amazing foods of Mussoorie. Being a tourist destination, Mussoorie has many famous food joints, eateries and restaurants serving tasty delicacies of Chinese, Tibetan, Indian, Thai, and Moroccan, Italian and Goan cuisines. One must try various varieties of cakes, muffins and other desserts served by some of its popular cafes and bakeries. Urban dwellers can take a puff of flavoured hukkas in some of the well-known hukka bars of Mussoorie.

Mussoorie retains its Pahadi culture as some of the eateries offer a collection of traditional dishes made from typical usage of spices and are cooked by adopting traditional methods. Satisfy your hunger by trying their authentic dishes like Bhaang ki Khatai, Kappa, Sisunak Saag, Aloo ke Gutke and Rus. With these lip-smacking and delicious options, Mussoorie could potentially be a satisfying culinary ride.

Lovely Omelette Centre- Fond of unusual egg delicacies? Lovely omelette centre has answers for your hunger streaks. This small food joint offers some of the best omelettes in India. The speciality is cheese omelettes served with chillies, onions and spices forming a delicious treat for your taste buds. Never heard of unusual combinations? Try their chocolate omelettes!

Opening hours: 9am-9.30pm Wed-Mon

Address: The Mall, Kulri Bazaar

Imperial Square- The restaurant is well-renowned for serving authentic Chinese, Indian and European cuisines. With a beautiful décor and ambience, the restaurant is a welcome respite for travellers coming to Mussoorie. The highlight is its tea-cum-hukka lounge enabling you to be away from a life stuck in the hamster wheel. Try its varied variety of sizzlers, big toasted sandwiches and waffles.

Kasmanda Palace Restaurant- The royal restaurant at this heritage hotel lives up the age-old regal essence with its splendid grandeur and exotic ambience. Both the in-house and the garden restaurant has culinary experts serving multiple cuisines like Indian, continental and Chinese.

Address: Kasmanda Palace Hotel

Neelam- Established since 1949, the restaurant is popular for its paneer dishes and a variety of chicken and lamb recipes. With an exceptionally affable staff and efficient service the restaurant is a must try for tourists.

Opening Timings: 9 am- 11 pm

Address: Kulri Bazaar

Tip top Tea Shop, Chaar Dukaan- Situated almost on the apex of the town, the small eatery is famous for its variety of teas and snacks. The place is quiet and peaceful. Don’t forget to include it in your itinerary to Mussoorie.

Be it a religious or a cultural occasion, an event in Mussoorie is all about fun and entertainment. Visiting Mussoorie at the time of a cultural festival is like adding an extra dose of excitement on a holiday. While giving a sneak peek into the local culture of Mussoorie, these events allow you to mingle with the local inhabitants making you appreciate the diversity that India is known for. Don’t miss out the opportunity to enjoy the local festivals in Mussoorie as they come with a guarantee of fun and ultimate celebrations. Read below to find out more about the local festivals of Mussoorie.

Enjoy the Festivities of the Autumn Festival- Held in the month of October and organised by the Municipal Board, the autumn festival is attended by both the local inhabitants and tourists. Lasting for 10 days, it hosts some major events like roller skating shows, fireworks, theatrical plays and sporting events.

Plant flowers in the Phooldeyi Festival- Phooldeyi or Phooldeli is a unique festival celebrated with great enthusiasm in Mussoorie. During this event, young girls plant the first flowers of the season in front of every house. The uniqueness lies in the fact that these young girls plant these flowers not only in their own houses but other houses as well. Celebrated in March every year, the festival celebrates the notion of solidarity in Kumaon communities.

Enhance your Learning in the Summer Festival- Organised by the Nagar Palika Parishad of Mussoorie, various cultural events forms the part of this unique festival. Seminars and debates, magic shows, folk dance performances, game shows, and cultural parades form the highlight of the festival inviting huge participation from local populous and tourist alike.

Soak in the Divinity of Hariyala Festival- Celebrated during the month of Shravan (July-August), the festival hails the arrival of the rainy season and new harvest. Devotees make clay statues of Lord Shiva and Parvati, and worship them in order to commemorate their worship.

Exciting treks, enthralling adventures like paragliding and sky trek, and upbeat skating- having all this in its kitty, Mussoorie will not disappoint the adventure seeker inside you. Watch the world beneath by flying like a bird while paragliding or experience a moving world by swirling around in a skating rink. Mussoorie has plethora of activities that can lead to an adrenaline rush in anybody. Get the energy and gather your spirits to try some of the best adventures in Mussoorie forming a lifetime experience.

Paragliding around Mussoorie Lake

Always wished you had wings? If you have always wanted to be an Icarus freely flying to touch the sky, then indulging in a paragliding adventure is worth having an adrenaline rush. Get yourself rolled up by the wonders of paragliding by stopping at the Mussoorie Lake and hire an instructor who will help you to explore the majestic blue sky. The price ranges between Rs. 500 and Rs. 800 according to the duration and distance. Just have some strength and spirit to take up this once in a lifetime experience of viewing the breath-taking views of the world beneath.

Swirl around in a Skating Rink

You will be surprised to know that Mussoorie hosts some of the world famous skating rinks. Gear yourself with skating wheels, garner some spirit and twist your body to experience a world in motion. To enjoy this experience there are many skating rinks in Mussoorie like Jaypee Resort’s skating Rink , The Rink in Kulri Bazaar and Disco Skating Rink behind the Tourist office.

Don’t worry about safety, as the organisers will equip you with all the safety measures.

Map out the Sky on a Sky Trek

Brace yourself to experience the Superman inside you! The Mussoorie Adventure Zone at Kempty Falls organises the ultimate adventure activity called Sky Trek. You will be suspended on a 600 feet long zip line at a height of 200 feet above the Kempty Falls. Being an enthralling experience, you can reach up to 80 km/hour speed while sliding down the rope.

There is no reason to worry about safety as it is the top priority of the organisers. The price is Rs.500 and you can get a discount of 10% if you book online.

Any trip is incomplete without laying your hands on the bestselling items of that particular destination. As a famous hill station, Mussoorie lives up to all your expectations as far as shopping excursions are concerned. From hand-woven woollen garments to artistic show pieces- a shopping experience in this city is definitely a bang for your buck! Read below to discover some of the best shopping places in Mussoorie.

The Mall Road or the Mall

The landmark of Mussoorie, the Mall Road or the Mall, is lined with bustling shops selling items ranging from colourful apparels to electronic goods. Tourists are spotted buying items like ceramic vases, brass statues, wooden handicrafts and antiques. Don’t forget to take home the famous jamavar shawls!

Tibetan Market

Situated at the Mall Road, the Tibetan market is loaded with varieties of artefacts and clothing that excites the shopaholic inside you. The marketplace is filled with clusters of shops and stalls selling colourful statutes, incense, shawls, paintings, and Tibetan artefacts such as jewellery and semi-precious stones. Not being an out way of your pocket, the market has something to offer for every age group.

Kulri Bazaar

Satisfy your shopping hunger by laying your hands on a collection of fashionable apparels, handicrafts and artefacts sold here. Popular among tourist and local inhabitants alike, Kulri bazaar has a line of famous hotels, eateries and big business houses.

With plenty of options avalaible for a comfortable holiday stay, Mussoorie will not disappoint you as far as hospitality is concerned. Being a tourist destination, it has hotels and guest houses equipped with modern facilities and services. From premium hotels to low-priced guesthouses and inns- Mussoorie has options ranging from luxurious stay to budget travel. Read below for some of the best staying options in Mussoorie!

Hotel Madhuban Highlands- Guaranteeing you a comfortable stay without giving a hole in your pocket, this hotel is one of the best options to enjoy your trip in Mussoorie. Nestled in the Himalayan Mountains, the property is 52.9 km from Jolly Grant Airport and 30.2 km from Dehradun Railway Station. It is equipped with all major facilities with a restaurant and bar serving lip-smacking dishes of various cuisines. Choose a room with balcony to get some spectacular view of the natural beauty of Mussoorie.

Address: Brightland Estate, Mussoorie 248179, India

Jaypee Manor Mussoorie- Enjoy the picturesque valleys and soaring Himalayan peaks in Mussoorie by relaxing in the deluxe rooms of this luxurious hotel. The property is spread across 9 acres on a private hilltop and major highlights of the hotel include indoor heating pool, virtual gaming centre, bowling alley and an in house discotheque.

Address: Barlowganj, Mussoorie

Uttarakhand, India

The Amber Vermont State- Relax yourself in the soothing ambience of traditional English cottage, a major highlight of this hotel. A mid-range kind, this hotel in Mussoorie is equipped with a spa and a games room. So, come here and get a relaxing break from your busy life.

Hotel Dev Dar Woods- Perched at the top of a hill and located at a distance of 4 km from Mussoorie Mall road, this little hotel has 12 guest rooms enabling every visitor to admire the beautiful haven that is Mussoorie. Popular or its cheesy pizzas, the restaurant here is jam packed by tourists all the time.

Address: Sister Bazar, Landour Camp, Mussoorie, Uttaranchal, India.

Pick up the best and explore this beautiful Queen of Hill Stations without any worries!

Convenient means of transportation is a top factor while planning a trip to any destination. Mussoorie is a famous destination and you will not face difficulty while commuting within the city. The best option to roam around is by hopping on a Rickshaw which is avalaible at an affordable cost in every nook and corner of the city. Apart from this, tourists can hire taxi for a full day sight-seeing of its famous spots.

Reaching Mussoorie by Air- the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is situated at a distance of 54 Km from Mussoorie provides an air link with the other parts of the country. One can hire a taxi or can board a bus from the main airport to reach the main city. The Uttarakhand State Road Transportation handles the bus service and is known for its efficient service.

Reaching Mussoorie by Rail - Dehradun Railway Station provides a rail link between Mussoorie and other parts of India. One can either hire a taxi or board a bus from there to reach the main city. The travelling time is not more 11/2 hour.

Reaching Mussoorie by Road- Mussoorie is well-connected with other major cities by regular bus and taxi services. Volvos (non-air conditioned and air-conditioned) and deluxe buses with a reasonable fare runs from New Delhi and other regions in Uttarakhand to Mussoorie. The buses leave from both Picture Palace bus stand and Library bus stand situated at the opposite ends of the city. Taxis are also avalaible from Dehradun, Rishikesh and Uttarkashi at a reasonable fare to Mussoorie. Also, a shared taxi, operating to and fro between Dehradun and Mussoorie costs 140 per person.